Schaublin 13 Universal Milling Machine From the 1974 general catalogue The Schaublin 13 milling machine is probably one of the most desirable small tool-room milling machines. These machines were of the usual continental pattern with separate tables and accessories mounting to the longitudinal slide. The horizontal spindle, carried on precision bearings, was provided with a 4MT socket. The fixed spindle vertical head was also of 4MT and could be swiveled through 180 degrees. Spindle speeds were provided through a two speed gearbox and belt driven variator giving infinitely variable speeds between 56 and 2100 rpm. Like the Sixis 103 these machines employed a pair of ground bars for horizontal overarm support. Power feeds were provided through an eight speed gearbox for the vertical as well as the longitudinal slide, while the headstock slide had the unique feature of having its feed handle and micrometer dial mounted in a vertical position on the front portion of the headstock itself. Power feeds were selected through a four position "joy stick" mounted below the table on the left. Some machines were provided with rapids through the use of a separate motor controlled by a foot-switch at the front of the machine. The motor providing rapid feeds can be troublesome and is difficult to work on. Overall travels of the machine were: longitudinal 260mm; vertical 310mm; and horizontal (headstock) 150mm. The plain table had a working area of 600 x 210mm. In horizontal form and without a table the machine weighed 440kg. As with the other machines featured in this archive a wide range of accessories was available. Early model Schaublin 13 In the late 1960s Schaublin revised the design of the 13 milling machine. Travels were increased to: longitudinal 320mm; vertical 375mm; while horizontal remained unchanged at 150mm. Later machines also had two further stations for the horizontal headstock feed handle making the machine easier to use. The vertical manual feed shaft on these later machines was angled toward the operator again for ease of use. The spindles were changed from 4MT to 30 ISO while spindle speeds remained unchanged. More safety electrical equipment was added to the machines as was a one shot lubrication system. All machines were fitted with rapid traverses. The overall weight of the machine grew to 740kg. Production of the 13 ceased in the 1980s. Depending of equipment and condition late machines can command high prices. The photo below shows a fully reconditioned machine being offered by Schaublin themselves in May 2003, it had a price tag of 39,000 CHF (about £17,000 UKP). Late model Schaublin 13